I actually forgot it was 4/20 yesterday, that's how much of a square I've become in my old age.

Once I was reminded, I realized there was an opportunity for some great images waiting just a few TTC stops away! The weather was warm, the sun was shining, and all I had was cameras and spare time!

Recently I've discovered something. Many of my shoots become a series of images, I like telling a story that way, but sometimes that one photo, the one that tells the story in a single image isn't as strong as it could be. So with that in mind I headed down to Dundas square mid afternoon with a goal in mind: Tell a more complete story with a single image.

I felt certain the moment would present itself right at 4:20, as the 14,000 people crammed in and around Dundas Square all lit up together. I had spotted this young man earlier in my travels, his reflective sunglasses and giant joint piquing my interest, so I returned to his area a few minutes before liftoff.

I usually don't do this, but I asked if I could take his image at 4:20. Though marijuana is all but legal in Canada, it still isn't, so I wanted to make sure he trusted me and was comfortable as I hoped the image of him would tell the story the way I envisioned. He agreed without hesitation and when the magic time arrived he did his thing, and I was lucky enough to get a frame that represented what I had envisioned.

While I didn't do anything drastically different during this shoot, I found focusing on a single type of image instead of being concerned about telling the story with many images allowed me to create stronger photos overall. I was a little more selective with my shooting and I think the results were pretty positive.

So goal achieved.

Also I'm fairly certain on the train ride home more than a few people notice I smelled a lot like like Otto's jacket...

Instagram

Throughout March the #trypod campaign seeks to introduce the wonderful world of podcasts to a wider audience. Here are just a few of my favorites! #replyall #radiolab #thisamericanlife #reveal #themoth #heavyweight #embeded #canadaland #podsaveamerica #podsavetheworld #modernlove #serial #bodegaboys #hellowfromthemagictavern #longform #abgt #podcast

David Martin a member of the Mohawk Six Nations, dances during the first Pow wow held on the University of Toronto's campus in decades. Dressed in Grass Dancer regalia, Martin said the colorful markings on his traditional clothing represent balance between men and women. March 11, 2017 #powwow #toronto #torontolife #universityoftoronto #firstnations #dance #mohawk #canada

A man with binoculars scans protestors gathered outside of the American consulate on University avenue during the #NoMuslimBanTo protest. February 4, 2017 #toronto #torontophoto #photojournalism #protest #nohate #muslim #flag #americanflag #protest

Hundreds gather for a vigil at the University of Toronto after a terrorist attack in Quebec City claimed the lives of 6 Muslim men on January 29, 2017. #mosque #quebecterrorattack #photojournalism #canon #universityoftoronto #toronto #torontophoto

"I haven't seen people come out in these numbers since the Vietnam war." Vickie told me as she admired signs left at Osgoode Hall after the March on Washington - Toronto. Saturday January 21, 2017. #toronto #marchonwashington #marchonwashingtontoronto #torontophoto #portrait #blacklivesmatter #photojournalism #women #womenempowerment